Química medicinal

Larvicidal Efficacy of Jasminum sp. (Oleaceae) Flower Extracts against the Dengue and Chikungunya Vector Aedes aegypti L. (Diptera: Culicidae)

Abstract

Eugeni Anitha Preethi G, Raveen R, Arivoli S, Samuel Tennyson and Madhanagopal R

Dengue and chikungunya are transmitted by Aedes aegypti and for controlling these diseases, the vector mosquito has to be controlled. Extensive use of synthetic and chemical insecticides has resulted in environmental hazards and also in development of physiological resistance among vector mosquito species. Plant products are considered to be a potential alternative approach as they are environmentally safe, target specific and biodegradable. In the present study, the crude chloroform, methanol and aqueous flower extracts of Jasminum officinale, Jasminum auriculatum and Jasminum grandiflorum were tested for the larvicidal efficacy against the third instar larvae of Aedes aegypti at concentrations of 62.5, 125, 250, 500, 1000, 2000, 4000 and 8000 mg/L. Mortality was recorded after 24 and 48 h. Amongst the extracts of Jasminum species tested, the crude chloroform flower extract of Jasminum grandiflorum was found to be effective showing 100% mortality at 1000 mg/L with LC50 value of 344.01 and 300.47 after 24 and 48 h respectively followed by the crude methanolic flower extracts of Jasminum officinale and Jasminum auriculatum. Further investigations are needed to elucidate the larvicidal activity of Jasminum grandiflorum crude chloroform flower extract against a wide range of all stages of mosquito species and also the active ingredient(s) of the extract responsible for larvicidal activity should be identified.